"Africa’s New Benchmark": Former Ghana international hails Morocco’s golden era and Youth revolution | OneFootball

Ghana legend says Atlas Lions' success is no surprise .. the result of years of planning, patience and investment

"Africa’s New Benchmark": Former Ghana international hails Morocco’s golden era and Youth revolution

Former Ghana international Emmanuel Agyemang Badu's heaped praise on Morocco for their unprecedented rise across all levels of football calling the North African nation model for the continent in how to build long term success.

The Atlas Lions've rewritten history in recent years becoming 1st African side to reach FIFA World Cup semi final in Qatar 2022 winning the U17 AFCON title for 1st time in April 2025 and most recently lifting the FIFA U20 World cup with 2-0 win over Argentina joining Ghana as the only african nations to win the tournament.

Badu who famously scored the winning penalty as Ghana won the 2009 U20 World cup, said Morocco’s rise is no accident but the result of years of structured development & patience.

"They didn't just rush it they've been laying the groundwork for years and now they're finally enjoying the massive payoff. That’s the real lesson for every other African country" he shared with Radio Gold.

He also pointed out Morocco's clever thinking when it came to finding talent specifically their approach to aggressively recruiting young dual nationals who grew up abroad and quickly getting them into the national squad.

He urged other federations to get on board and follow that blueprint.